Indian Gap, Texas, Hamilton County. (original) (raw)
History in a Pecan Shell
Indian Gap's name came about when it was noticed that the Comanches came through this gap in the mountains when they would raid the settlers. We have to admire the stoicism and powers of observation of the settlers, who you would think would be fleeing in terror, rather than noting the route of their enemies.
1857 is the date the Handbook of Texas gives for the first settlement of the area. A Mr. Hawley Gerrells was credited with opening the first post office in his home, which soon became a store. Church services were held there as well, and it was said to be a social center of the community, whatever that meant in the mid -1800s.
A man by the name of H.A. Shipman farmed the area for several years before buying out Gerrells' store and post office in 1889. Although the community never reached a population rivaling the colossus of Goldthwaite or Hamilton, nonetheless, it had a hotel, and a weekly newspaper as well as the usual businesses essential for 19th century life.
The school closed in 1959 (see forum below) and the post office shut its doors in 1972. The estimated head count in 2010 was 27 people.
Night photo of the abandoned Indian Gap School
Photo courtesy Gary Castillo, 2013
School interior
Photo courtesy Gary Castillo, 2013
The 1913 Indian Gap School
Photo courtesy Jason Penney, whose grandfather and other relatives once attended the Indian Gap school
Indian Gap School
Photo courtesy Bill Rigney, July 2012
Indian Gap School demolished
Photo courtesy Scott Bedgood, October 2020
Indian Gap School demolished
Photo courtesy Scott Bedgood, October 2020
Another view of Indian Gap today
Faded lettering reads:
Carl Reinert - dealer in General Merchandise
Photo courtesy Jason Penney
Indian Gap, 1920s
Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com
More Texas Churches
Indian Gap Gulf Gas Station
Converted from Comanche's First Railroad Depot
Jimmy Dobson Photo, September 2017
Indian Gap, Texas Forum
- Subject: Indian Gap
Indian gap Texas is where most my family is from. There is a date as to when the Indian gap school was closed. In the article it said 1950. The school closed in 1959. I know because when I was 5 years old visiting my grandmother who lived in the house that is just across a field from the school, I played with some kids who attended that school. My family is buried in the cemetery there. I have wonderful memories of my visits as a little girl. Tommie's store and filling station was opened and the post office was also still there until almost 1970, I think. In the early 60s they had the old fashion switchboard operator where all your calls went through the switchboard, and my grandmother had an old phone that hung on the wall of her dining room that you had to turn a handle on the side to get the operator. I love visiting there even now, because I have such wonderful childhood memories. - Susan Deluca, July 16, 2011
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